Returning From a Three-Week Trip

I just returned from a three-week trip to Haiti.  Joining me during part of that time was Susan Hevalow, John Howard, and Kyle Butler.  While there, we followed-up on the progress of all of our Love Haiti students, including  one-on-one sessions with each student, and an end-of-the semester celebration with the students and their families. We paid second-semester tuitions at four different schools, hired tutors for students in need, and sought medical care for a couple of students who needed it.  In addition, we researched and toured a public school in Port au Prince (there are not many, and we learned that entrance is extremely competitive); we toured a four-year nursing university in Leogane, and an English School in Port au Prince for future reference.  
We stayed at Notre Maison Children's Home in Port au Prince where Love Haiti sponsors a tutor for the children who live there.  We were able to observe his work, and interact with the children, learning more about their needs.
We also visited a Methodist Church in Port au Prince.  They have 4,000 members.  We were able to meet with the pastors, and they were kind enough to allow us to use a classroom to perform eye exams for the elderly.  Before we left for Haiti, Restoring Vision donated 300 pairs of reading glasses with instructions on how to perform eye exams for presbyopia.  Some of our Love Haiti students helped us perform the exams.  It was an opportunity for them to help others.    
This was a productive trip in so many ways.  Overall, the students are doing well.  We will be posting more details about our trip during the next few weeks, highlighting stories about specific students.  If you have any questions, please ask.

Vision

Dr. Faye DeClue Young, a former classmate of mine, and an optometrist in the KC area volunteered to go to Haiti in June to check the eyesight of  "Love Haiti" students. NONE of these students, their siblings, or their parents have ever had their eyes examined. After sharing her intent with the director of Restoring Vision the director offered to send 400 pairs of glasses with us on this upcoming trip to Haiti next week. We received the glasses today and instructions on how we can test vision for those needing readers. I am so excited to see the response from the recipients of these glasses, and the reaction from the students who will have their eyes examined this summer. Thank you Dr. Faye Young and Restoring Vision. Look for upcoming stories and photos about improving vision in Haiti!